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Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi (C) vies with Valladolid's midfielder Carlos Lazaro (L) and forward Jonathan Sesma (R) during their Liga football match at Jose Zorilla stadium in Valladolid, on January 23, 2010.

Los Che (Valencia) are returning home after failing to win their last two games away.  They were easily beaten in Sevilla and lucky to escape Tenerife with a draw. Valladolid played reasonably in their last two home games against Barcelona and an in-form Almeria respectively. Against Barcelona they had a nice battle then last week they went behind early in the game and had to play with ten men for more than 55 minutes! Still, they never gave up and managed to equalize ten minutes before the end.

Valladolid, in something of a shocking decision, have parted ways with their manager Jose Luis Mendillibar. He was in charge the past three years and a familiar pattern emerged; an amazing team in the early stages of the campaign then a last-minute salvation on the final day. What has changed now? Mendilibar tried to turn the fortune of the team in order to avoid any further relegation troubles, training his team to peak in the second half of the season but it has not saved his job.

Now they have a new manager and are eager to start a new era. Onésimo Sánchez's first assignment is to motivate and raise player morale. He won’t be able to count on striker Manucho who is suspended. Valencia's Vicente Rodríguez is doubtful, Maduro, Mathieu and David Navarro trained without problems while Joaquín and Jordi Alba remain on the sidelines.

Valladolid's recent good form is a far cry from Valencia's patchy efforts lately. Valladolid will be working hard for their new manager and won last year in Valencia, so why not now? The odds on Valladolid are outstanding.

Bet: Away win / draw (double chance)

Mantis